Open All Easter Weekend - Apr 02, 2015
Dear Gardening Friends,
We are open all Easter weekend so if you are needing help in the garden make sure you come and see us.
I have noticed that many of our gardening friends are buying plants for friends today.
Don’t forget that Cyclamen make beautiful potted gifts and if you buy a ceramic pot from us we are happy to repot it for you for free.
We can also gift wrap your potted plants and this just makes them look so much more expensive and you will get extra brownie points!
Simon had found some beautiful Clematis from a grower in Victoria. These old world climbing plants have huge flowers throughout spring and autumn.
They are hard to find in nurseries these days. We have about 30 plants all covered in buds and flowers. They grow best on the southern side of your house because they like a cool root system.
I’ve grown mine in a large terracotta pot with a wire witches hat for support. It looks amazing when it is covered in flowers. These need to be watered often for best results and they need a thick layer of mulch to help keep those roots cool and moist. Supply is very seasonal and spasmodic so if you love Clematis come and see us.
Salvias are one of the hardiest garden shrubs and they will thrive in those hot dry spots where other plants seem to struggle.
They come in an amazing range of colours and there are over 100 varieties available in Australia. These free flowering shrubs look amazing mass planted in your garden and many varieties will flower non stop for 6 months or more.
Unfortunately Salvias don’t present well in small pots in the nursery and they can often look a bit weedy. But plant them in your garden and they transform into these spectacular flowering small shrubs.
Prune them every 3 months and they will just re flower and go again. We have a huge display of flowering Salvias near the trolley bay. They attract butterflies into your garden for free.
A couple of weeks ago we planted up our hanging baskets out the front of the shop with those new Lobelias called “Hot Springs”. They are now covered in bright blue flowers and they look sensational.
These are perennial Lobelias so if they ever look tired just cut them back and feed with Tim’s Fast Food. They will shoot out fresh new growth and start to flower again.
I love this bright blue colour but they come in mauve and white forms too. They will soon be spilling over the sides of our baskets and bring us even more joy.
Remember hanging baskets dry out so fast because they are hanging up in the wind. These self watering Yates Tuscan baskets are great but you must use Tim’s Best Potting mix.
A new Azalea called “Troy’s Triumph” has arrived this week. Autumn is a great time to buy Azaleas because the varieties that are flowering now will flower again in spring. You get two flowering seasons for the price of one!
Troy’s Triumph has glossy green healthy looking foliage and I love the bright coloured flowers too. Azaleas grow well in pots on patios or plant them in your garden.
They do like lots of water and they grow much better if you improve the soil by digging in some IGC Planting Compost. If you’re growing them in pots use Tims Best Potting Mix. Years ago you used to buy Azalea and Camellia Potting mix but Tim’s is even better.
If you have Azaleas spray them with Confidor now to help protect them from Lace bugs.
Autumn is the best time to fertilise your gardens and it can get so confusing if you have a variety of plants to know which fertiliser you should use. “Rapid Raiser” is used by the Botanic Gardens around Australia.
It is an organic based pelletised fertiliser that is safe to use on all types of plants. You can even use it around your potted Citrus trees. I wouldn’t use it on indoor plants because it does have an earthy fragrance.
We have 20kg bags for just $20.99. Throw a handful around the drip line of every tree and shrub in your garden. Bigger plants will require more. Use it on your vegetable garden for great results. Rose bushes love it too.
You need to fertilise your garden now. Rain is expected, so come and get a bag this weekend. We can put one in your boot for you. Easy peezy.
Stink Horns are popping up in mulch around Macarthur. These unusual looking Fungi always get gardeners talking.
They are not a garden pest and they only live on the mulch. When the cooler weather arrives they will disappear.
They come in assorted shapes and sizes.
Pig has been to The Snowy Mountains trout fishing with me. He has come back with a nasty rash. It could have been caused by stress? 3 days in a Camper van with me could have done it. Poor pig will hopefully be on the mend soon.
We were horrified to see so much roadside rubbish. What is happening in Australia? Does every body just throw their rubbish out the widow now? There was even rubbish in the Snowy Mountains National Park.
Come and see us if you need help in the garden.
Happy Gardening
Tim